Claremont High School’s girls basketball team is entering a new season with a familiar face in charge. After coaching for five years before exiting the spotlight, Coach Beverly Ball Powell is back. Her decision to return was driven by the strong connections she has built with the team, their families, and the larger Claremont community.
During her previous time as coach, Powell formed lasting bonds with players, parents, and the wider community. These relationships were a key part of why she was eager to return. Having already established connections with some of the team, Powell is excited to continue building on that foundation.
“I have a relationship with the families, with the parents, with the community, and with the players,” Powell said. “So coming back here was an easy decision.”
For Powell, basketball has always been more than just a sport—it is an opportunity to mentor young women and help them grow, both on and off the court. She is passionate about using the game as a tool for personal development, building confidence, and fostering leadership.
“I love coaching basketball,” Powell said. “It’s an opportunity for me to invest in the young ladies that are here, to pull them from their potential to their purpose.”
Powell believes that sports like basketball gives young women a chance to not only improve their physical skills, but also develop the mental toughness needed to handle challenges they will face in life. By working together as a team, players learn the value of hard work, cooperation, and resilience, which are lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court.
“I think basketball is a positive outlet where young ladies can come together, play as a team, and build each other up,” Powell said. “It’s also an opportunity for me to impart life lessons on them.”
Powell strives to be a role model who teaches important values, such as respect, leadership, and responsibility. Her approach to coaching is about helping athletes recognize their potential, both as players and as individuals.
As Powell prepares for the next season, she is excited about the opportunity to continue building on the team’s success. She wants to create an environment where players feel supported, motivated, and encouraged to give their best—not just for the team, but for themselves.
“Hopefully, the young ladies that I’m working with will take away not just basketball skills, but life skills [as well],” Powell said. “When they get off the court, I believe it helps them in their everyday lives. It helps them make good decisions.”
Powell’s return is an exciting point for the girls’ basketball program at CHS. With her experience, leadership, and commitment to her players, the team looks forward to a season full of growth, learning, and success. Powell’s leadership style will not only shape the team’s performance but also help each player realize their full potential, both on and off the court.
